How to successfully roll out new technology to your research teams [Free rollout plan template]
Rolling out new technology successfully can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure how to go about it. Luckily, with a little planning, there are steps you can take to make the process a little smoother.
With constant innovation in the market research industry, and supporting services, technology has the power to change everything - from the way we communicate, to the way we conduct our research. But rolling out new technology successfully can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure how to go about it. Luckily, with a little planning, there are steps you can take to make the process a little smoother.
Whether it is a technology created in-house or a solution you are purchasing from an external provider, here are some tips on how to successfully roll out new technology to your research teams:
- Create a plan and share it with everyone
- Create a buzz around the new technology
- Work with your new technology partner
- Plan training and support
- Identify at least one person in each team to be a "champion" of the new technology
- Introduce the new technology in stages
- Gather feedback and create internal case studies
- Lead by example
1. Create a plan and share it with everyone
The first step is to sit down and create a plan. Take a moment to write down every stage of the rollout, who the key players will be, what support is required at each stage, what are the timings, and what the challenges and blockers might be.
Calendarize every step of the process so that you can continue to check back against the plan. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that no steps are missed. It's also important to keep an open line of communication with your team throughout the process. Let them know what's happening and why it's happening, even before you begin. And finally, don't forget to plan how you are going to celebrate when you've reached your goals! A little recognition goes a long way in motivating people to embrace change.
We’ve created a free downloadable tech rollout plan to help you organize your thoughts and answer some key questions.
Enter your details to receive the free “tech rollout plan template”:
2. Create a buzz around the new technology
As soon as you've chosen the new technology you want to roll out to your research teams, it's time to start getting them excited about it. Creating a buzz around the new solution is key to ensuring its success.
If you have followed the steps we outlined in our posts “8 questions to ask yourself before evaluating new research technology” and "How to get the most out of your new research technology trial", you should already know exactly why you are implementing the new technology and what impact it is going to have on your researchers.
Talk about the new technology and the findings from the trial whenever you can - at company meetings, in emails to teams, and even at team building sessions. The more excited you can make the researchers about the new technology, the more likely they are to use it successfully.
3. Work with your new technology partner
If you're working with a new technology partner, it's important to be clear about how involved they will be in the rollout of the software. If they haven't offered support, be sure to ask whether any support is included in the contract.
The success of the rollout should be equally important to both parties. After all, if you love their product, you are more likely to renew your agreement when the time comes.
By working together closely, you can ensure that the new technology is successfully integrated into your research teams.
4. Plan training and support
When it comes to new technology, research teams can be notoriously difficult to win over. After all, they're used to doing things a certain way and may not be eager to change. But with the right approach, you can successfully roll out new technology and get everyone on board.
The key is to create a comprehensive training and support plan. This way, researchers will have everything they need to get up to speed quickly and will be able to get help if they run into any problems.
In your conversation with your supplier, you might find that they have documentation and a well-thought-out training plan. If not, it's worth considering who from your organization will be best placed to help the researchers to get started.
Once you've got a plan in place, make sure you communicate it clearly to everyone involved. If you take the time to do this, you'll be well on your way to success.
5. Identify at least one person in each team to be a "champion" of the new technology
When new technology is introduced into a workplace, it's essential to have at least one "champion" of the new software on each team. These champions are vital to driving the adoption of the new solution and can be a valuable asset in training and support.
If you used our free trial plan, it might be worth considering the employees you chose to take part in your trial as the champions. After all, you will have identified them to take part in the trial for a specific reason. If they aren’t available, take a look back at the profile you created of your ideal participant and use this as a framework.
These champions should be excited about the new software and approach it with an open mind. Having champions on each team will help to ensure successful adoption of the new technology.
6. Introduce the new technology in stages
From personal experience, rather than introducing the new technology to the whole team or company at once, it would be far more manageable and effective to introduce your new solution in stages. This way, you can learn from any hiccups that occur and make modifications for the next group.
Roll out the new software team by team using your champions for support, or start with employees that you see as early adopters. Be sure to take note of successes and failures so you can improve the process as you go.
With a little bit of planning, you'll be able to successfully roll out new technology to your research teams in no time!
7. Gather feedback and create internal case studies
Feedback is essential to the success of any new technology rollout. By gathering feedback at each stage, you can identify areas that need improvement and ensure that the new technology is being used effectively.
Case studies are a great way to showcase the benefits of the new technology and inspire others to achieve the same level of success. Encourage those who have had success with the new technology to share their stories and consider asking them to present their case study to other teams so that they can become beacons for others.
By doing this, you will not only continue to generate buzz around the new software but also give other researchers practical ideas of how they can integrate the new technology.
8. Lead by example
If the new technology is something you should be using as part of your role, be sure to use it frequently and show others how it can benefit them. Leading by example is key to the success of your rollout - if you aren’t using the new solution when you should be, it’s unlikely others will either!
Key takeaway
Introducing new technology to market research teams can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and planning, it’s easy to create an exciting buzz around the solution.
By creating a comprehensive training and support plan, appointing champions, and introducing the new software in stages, you'll be well on your way to success.
We’ve created a free downloadable tech rollout plan to help you organize your thoughts and answer some key questions.
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